Adventure Awaits: a recap of our epic annual yoga retreat on the edge of BWCA
An annual retreat with new experiences and reflections every time.
This was our third annual Adventure Awaits Yoga Retreat on the edge of the Boundary Waters at Birchwood Wilderness Camp. We schemed two back-to-back retreats this year. Amanda led our first retreat August 11-14 with her incredible team: Merrill Norman, Shannon McGrath, and Nora Woodworth. Bryana led the second retreat August 14-17 with her stellar team: Amal Karim, Jessica Wiens, and Nora Woodworth. We couldn’t pull any of this magic off without this serene land on the edge of the BWCA that was originally Anishinaabe land, and has now been in the Bredemus family for decades. And of course, thank you times a million to the Birchwood Team: Penny, Stryde, Uncle Dan, Nemo, Gio, Daisy, Gatsby, Teddy, Scooby, Nova, Nacho, Casio, Duke, Arlo, Moses, and Louie.
Last but not least, thank you to our retreaters. You all are bold souls and inspire us 365 days a year. Seriously.
Reflections from Amanda:
Earlier this summer I posted on Instagram that I was drinking joy out of a firehose. Shortly thereafter we lost our beloved Grandmother, a giant in our lives and a great love for all of us lucky enough to have known her.
A more accurate statement is that I have been drinking life out of a firehose. There have been many intense highs as I watch my little Eowyn bloom and grow (she’s nearly 5 months old now) and as I watch Oslo become his own little person. We planned and put together my Grandmother’s funeral and my sister’s wedding within a six week period. It was intensely busy and full of the greatest joys (watching my sister surprise us all as she emerged upon a hill wearing a wedding dress riding a horse!) and the deepest wells of sadness.
In the midst of having a tiny little baby, I have also led two retreats. I was fortunate to bring Eowyn with me to the first retreat at Madden’s, but Birchwood marked four nights away from Eowyn- who still relies on my milk for 100% of her nourishment. Hindsight being 20/20, this was probably a bit aggressive.
So what does this have to do with Birchwood? I’m still figuring that out, but here is what I know so far:
Death has a way of clearing us out, making it more obvious what is good and true and worth nurturing. Death strips away all the facades, grudges, grievances, pettiness, busyness, and minor worries of our day to day. Death opens doorways that have been closed for months or years and gives us the opportunity to reach our hand through, and if we’re lucky, maybe the hand on the other side reaches back.
My cousin Merrill joined me for the first time at a retreat at Birchwood this year as a guest host. Grandma knew that Merrill was doing this and she was THRILLED. Grandma loved nothing more than hearing her grandchildren were spending time together. We are still living in the magical window where Grandma knew about things taking place, like this retreat, and I dread when we move beyond this period. So having Merrill with me at Birchwood felt incredibly meaningful. I am so grateful to have had time with her at one of the most powerful places in my life while our hearts are still healing, and while her little baby is growing (28 weeks!).
In addition, Shannon and Nora joined me to round out our team. Shannon and Nora are two of the strongest women I know. They are independent, autonomous, fearless women who know how to navigate the complex BWCA maps and can handle any obstacle the outdoors throws at them.
I was shocked to see how much the women who attended last year improved this year. The improvement in portaging, paddling, steering, and navigation was very noticeable. I was also proud to see the growth of Nora and Shannon as guides. They encouraged us to change things up and as a result, they were able to instruct everyone thoroughly. I felt 100% safe and confident heading out with them.
Even though it was hard for me to be away, I definitely needed that time. After the first 24 hours at Birchwood I think I took the first deep breath I’d taken in several weeks. I was able to return to a more grounded version of myself. I was able to gather myself together and reflect on all that had transpired and be present with all of it.
Another magical thing that happened at our retreat was that several women at my retreat had been at Wolf Ridge a few years prior, and hadn’t returned to a retreat since. It was incredible to witness the growth they’ve experienced since that retreat, and it was equally incredible that we remembered each other.
Many things happened: I sprained my ankle more than once, I made eye contact with a mouse, women portaged through a campsite and under a canvas awning (lol), we floated like otters, paddled to a campfire on a cliff, found the funniest rock in the BWCA, cried at the top of a cliff, sang silly songs, we laughed a lot, and many, many other things. If you were there- you know. It was magic.
Overall, the theme of the retreat for me was something like this:
I don’t exactly know what all of this means. I do know I am proud to be walking alongside you on your journeys. I’ve now known several of you through divorce, infertility, loss, cancer, pregnancy, quitting jobs, taking big risks, and so much more. I love coming together once a year, or every three years, to hear where life has taken you. It is infinitely special.
Love, Amanda
Reflections from Bryana:
This was quite the moving retreat and experience for me. First of all…my baby was 6.5 months old and this was my first time leaving him overnight. Pumping is quite the commitment and many things cause anxiety when away from baby, let alone in a very remote location. Being in the midst of a dire formula shortage does not help with the array of anxieties. Luckily my body was cooperative, and baby did fantastic while enjoying time with his grandparents. I accurately dubbed myself “Breastmilk Bryana” in the opening circle for our nickname introductions and that got quite a chuckle. :) I genuinely appreciate all of the support and encouragement I was given by everyone at the retreat, wow.
Second, for my personal journey, this was a momentous feeling of freedom, joy, and energy throughout the retreat for me. I shared with my group that not too long ago I suddenly found myself struggling with gnarly postpartum depression and anxiety. I had some very difficult days of darkness that I don’t wish upon anyone. Thank goodness for my support system, mixed with a combination of modern medicine/exercise/nutrition/mental health professional support/yoga, mindfulness, and breath practices/dedicated time outside and in nature, and the ability to fight like h*&%%!, I have been able to work to claw out of that place. It is a constant work-in-progress for me, while change is of course not linear. While at the retreat, I felt so much relief and happiness to reflect on my journey from the beginning of summer to now - and gosh I feel so much better. I could not be more grateful for that.
In addition to my personal journey, there were so many wonderful observations that I am honored to remember about this specific retreat. I’m smiling now as I share these memories with you….
Several women joined this retreat with me for the THIRD YEAR in a row! Watching their friendships grow, how their lives have unfolded, and their courage continue to blossom each year is astounding. Their kid-like spirits really come out at Birchwood and it’s contagious to be around. One of these women happens to be my sister-in-law and I love spending time with her. Katie you’re so much fun and I love you.
Most of the women on this retreat attended solo - WOW! What a unique way to really put yourself out there. Having so many women just take their own self-care and sense of adventure into their own hands and decide, “I’m doing this thing for me” is so inspiring to witness.
I love going to the boundary waters and Birchwood with Nora so gosh darn much I can barely stand it. She’s an incredible human, friend, educator, fun-maker, and a smarty-pants full of the best nature knowledge. I really truly am so motivated to be the best version of myself around Nora. And I love that she loves sleeping next to me in a tent and reading Sigurd Olson out loud to me until I fall asleep. Thank you, friend.
New this year, working with Amal Karim as a yoga teacher and retreat leader and Jessica Weins as a wilderness canoe guide was such a treat!! Amal is a graduate of our YTT program and wow do I love that she chose us. Amal is bubbly, smart, motivated, strong, and a risk-taker. Thank you Amal for sharing your talents with us. Jessica is a Boreal Bliss Yoga Retreats alum. We were so stoked she agreed to come to Birchwood in a staffing capacity this year. Jessica is patient, smart, empowering, strong, and solid. Solid in terms of…. You know she’s got your back and she will help you through anything big or small. Thank you Jessica for sharing your talents with us.
WE GOT TOQUED! (Lol toque is pronounced “tuke” and a name for the red hats pictured above). On our last night, we were able to join together in community with the Birchwood Wilderness Camp staff at our last campfire of the retreat and their last campfire of the 2022 season. Very special traditions go down at the “Eagle’s Nest” and I feel chills recalling all the magic in my mind. One of the most special things ever happened for us…. Some of our Boreal Bliss team were honored with Birchwood toques!!!! Amanda, Nora, and myself (Bryana) were given toques by Penny and Stryde. The Birchwood staff all weighed in in true Birchwood fashion while we were at the campfire and we were given final approval. Wow we were so shocked and humbled by this gesture. You see, we are basically obsessed with this Neverland and the characters in it, and to be honored with a tradition such as this after three years is…. Well it leaves me speechless.
More smile-worthy memories with this group include howling like wolves everywhere and anywhere, making ridiculous “otter” noises that sounded more like a maniacal dolphin, celebrating Kathy, Gretchen, and Elizabeth’s stunning wolf wear and hearing the story behind it (LOL!), singing Hit Me Baby One More Time at the campfire among other amazing classics and originals (i.e. “We all live in aluminum canoes…”), cheering Kiwi on as she free-styled at the campfire (I wish I could remember your rendition of Stand By Me, Kiwi), listening to the amazingly powerful breath of the group during our first yoga class on the deck, hearing the reflections of so many women around the closing circle of the things they did that surprised them (i.e. White Lightning, rock climbing, canoeing down the riffle, portaging, actually attending every yoga class at a retreat for the first time, and more).
Overall at this retreat, I really felt like myself again.
Thank goodness. Thank you. Love, Breastmilk Bryana (hahaha!)
